G/L is always looking for new ideas, trends and technologies.
The other day Tinder got brought up in the office, after a few jokes and explanations about this widely popular app, something interesting came to mind. We live in a world where Tinder is a very successful mobile app for dating and meeting new people…but what if we lived in a world where Tinder had a larger purpose? What if we lived in a world where Tinder (well, something like Tinder) connected businesses to each other with the swipe of a finger?
Background
- Tinder is an app for matchmaking, it launched in 2012.
- The app uses Facebook profiles to gather basic information for compatibility and then matches a user with other users in his/her geographical radius.
- Tinder shows the user other people in the area who match his/her compatibility, and the users can swipe with one finger to the left or to the right if they are interested in (or not interested in) each other.
- If both users swipe each other with interest, then they get an “It’s a Match” notification and can begin messaging.
So, it would be online dating for business? Not exactly, but close.
The thought behind connecting through mutual compatibility within a geographical proximity is interesting – it can be applied to almost anything, even a communications agency. It would work like this:
Agencies create profiles. Tinder connects with Facebook for a bit of safety, reliability and compatibility. The B2B app could connect with LinkedIn for that purpose and still have the geolocation technology to search within a specific geographical radius. An agency profile in the app would show a summary of the business, the clients it works with and what it specializes in/has to offer a client.
Businesses (prospective clients) create profiles. Businesses would submit who they are, what they do and why they need an agency. Using the same connection with LinkedIn and geolocation technology, the app could show which agencies are within a reasonable location and whose services are compatible with their business needs.
Then they swipe.
The app would show the agencies and clients who are interested in each other and now they are making business connections and turning a swipe of a finger into a business lead in a matter of seconds on a mobile device or tablet.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world where Tinder is for businesses – but maybe someday. Until then, I guess we’ll leave the swiping to the lovebirds.